Connector and alerting device

ABSTRACT

The present invention connects to tubing through which gas flows to a patient. An alert notifies monitoring personnel that oxygen flow to the patient has been interrupted, because the tubing has been disconnected. The invention comprises an adapter that is connected to a gas or oxygen source and a nipple over which the tubing fits and through which oxygen flows to the patient. When the tubing becomes disconnected from the nipple, the oxygen flow actuates an alert. In one embodiment, the invention includes a spring and swing arm that, when the tubing becomes disconnected from the nipple, align the nipple with a swing arm so that the gas flows through the nipple and the swing arm to actuate the alert.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is for use in systems that administer oxygen orother gases, such as a patient's oxygen found in hospital rooms, nursinghomes, and even in patient residences. Its purpose is to alert medicalor other attendant personnel, or even the patient himself, that tubinghas become disconnected from an oxygen source, and to indicate that apatient is no longer receiving oxygen.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For patient care, a monitor or alerting device should be a criticalcomponent where oxygen tubing is used with a flow regulator and where aconcern exists that the tubing can become disconnected, thusinterrupting oxygen flow to the patient. Until now, such a device hasnot existed. This need for an alerting device can occur where tubing isconnected to a gas supply through a flow regulator, and eventually to anasal prong or face mask, such as in hospital rooms, nursing homes,outpatient and convalescent facilities, doctor's offices, diagnostic andprocedure rooms, operating rooms, and private homes. In many situations,a barbed nipple, sometimes combined with a nut adapter (and alsocommonly referred to as a barbed nipple adapter or Christmas treeadapter), is attached to a flow regulator combined with a source ofoxygen. Then, tubing runs from the barbed nipple to the patient's nasalcannula or facemask. Unfortunately, in these situations there is nowarning device to alert medical personnel, or anyone looking after thepatient, that the tubing has become disconnected from the barbed nippleand that a gas is flowing freely into the ambient air.

There are many potentially serious consequences of oxygen flowingthrough a barbed nipple adapter with the tubing disconnected. Mostserious are the consequences of a patient not receiving oxygen. Medicalpersonnel may not be aware of or alerted to that situation, believing apatient is receiving oxygen when in fact he is not. The same issuearises when a patient is responsible for administering and monitoringhis own oxygen. Without an adequate supply of oxygen, the body's cellscan stop functioning. Consequently, the patient can suffer hypoxia,stroke, brain damage, paralysis, poor wound healing, or other graveproblems while medical personnel incorrectly believe the patient isreceiving oxygen. This situation also wastes oxygen, an expensive andcritical medical resource, and heightens the combustibility andflammability of the oxygen-enriched environment around the patient.

Safety and monitoring are becoming increasingly important in everyaspect of clinical practice. Evidence is accumulating that clinical andhospital errors of all types are a far greater cause of morbidity anddeath than the medical profession has previously realized. Tracingindividual outcomes back to their cause is not always possible, and evenwhen it is, the medical profession is obligated to address both knownand reasonably anticipated problems. Therefore, every aspect of clinicalcare must be scrutinized for safety, potentially deleterious effects,and the possibility of improvement. There has been a long-felt need toquickly identify when an oxygen tubing line has become disconnected fromthe oxygen source for the patient, because of its potentially fatalconsequences. For decades, medical personnel have expressed theirfrustration with this problem. A solution would save medical resourcesand money, and, even more importantly, decrease preventable morbidityand mortality, i.e., prevent adverse unfavorable medical events and savelives.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the longstanding problem of the undetecteddisconnection of an oxygen tubing line. It is a safety device foralerting monitoring personnel that the tube providing oxygen to thepatient has become disconnected. The invention improves upon thelong-used barbed nipple, which previously has provided a connectingfunction without the safety of a disconnect warning, i.e., that nasal ormask tubing has been disconnected. The present invention detects thedisconnection of tubing from the nipple and produces an alert thatindicates the failure to deliver oxygen to the tube and ultimately thepatient or some apparatus.

In one embodiment the invention comprises a fixed arm and a swing arm.The fixed arm includes a preferably barbed nipple that can be attachedto gas tubing going to a patient, and an adapter to connect the nippleto the flow regulator or gas source. The flow regulator attachmentmechanism may take a variety of forms, such as a screw-on or push-ontype. The swing arm is attached to the fixed arm at the base with ahinge and is comprised of with a spring and an alerting mechanism, suchas a whistle or buzzer. The alert is actuated when tubing becomesdisconnected from the nipple. The spring is releasably engageable with astop or latch that is on the fixed arm. Preferably the spring is a leafspring configured in a generally sinusoidal shape.

In another embodiment, the invention comprises a nipple with an alertdevice disposed inside or on the nipple itself. That alert can be awhistle, buzzer, or some other noisemaker, or it can be a sensor thatsends a signal to another device that provides a visual or audiblewarning. The alert could be a hole on the side of the nipple, whichwould whistle when the hole is uncovered, but would otherwise be silentwhen the gas tube is attached and covers the hole.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the alertmechanism is electronic. Like the first embodiment, it includes a fixedarm connected to a swing arm by a hinge, a spring on the swing arm thatsecures to a latch on the fixed arm to urge the two arms toward eachother. Here, however, instead of a mechanical alert mechanism such as anair-actuated whistle, this embodiment includes an electronic alert thatincludes an electrical power source, a means for sensing gas flow, and asignal generator responsive to the means for sensing gas flow. The powersource, such as a battery, generates a current that flows to and heats athermistor in a microprocessor. When a tube becomes disconnected fromthe nipple, so that gas travels through the flow paths of both the fixedand swing arms, the gas cools the thermistor. This, in turn, causes thetemperature sensor to signal a buzzer or some other alert that warns ofthe disconnected tube.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Below is a detailed description that refers to the invention and itsnovel aspects, a variety of structural equivalents, and in that contextrefers to the following figures.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention before it is put to use.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the invention while it is connected to atube that delivers gas to the patient.

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the invention when the tubing has beendisconnected from the barbed nipple.

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is an elevation view of yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a section view through FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-3 depict one embodiment of the invention 10. FIG. 1 shows theinvention 10 before it is used; FIG. 2 shows it in use, with tube 40connected to nipple 30, with oxygen flowing through the tube to thepatient (not shown). Nipple 30 preferably though not necessarilyincludes barbs 32. FIG. 3 shows invention 10 in use when tube 40 hasbecome disconnected from nipple 30, so that oxygen will pass throughwhistle 50 and alert personnel attending the patient. Gas, typicallyoxygen, flows in direction A, from the source of the gas toward thepatient. In locations like a hospital room or nursing home, the nozzleis typically connected to a flow regulator attached to a wall of theroom (not shown). Oxygen is supplied, usually from a remote source, tothe flow regulator, the nipple, and then tubing that connects to apatient's mask or nasal cannula. The source of the gas, the presence ofgas flow regulators, and other such equipment are not part of theinvention. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-3, a swing arm 59pivots about hinge 67, which connects to base 60 that extends from oneend 66 to the other end 68 of base 60. Spring 70 is attached to base 60and curves around to spring end 75. The spring 70 has a somewhatirregularly shaped sinusoidal configuration, which increases the forcethe spring can hold. A fixed arm 20, which includes nipple 30 with barbs32 and threaded nut adapter 22, is connected to the swing arm 59 byhinge 67, located between point 27 a on the fixed arm 20 and point 27 bon the swing arm 59. A stop comprised of surfaces 69 a and 69 b preventhinge 67 from allowing too much relative movement of fixed arm 20 andswing arm 59 when the invention is not being used and is in an open,unlatched position as shown in FIG. 1. In the depicted embodiment,female threads of threaded nut adapter 22 are typically attached to aflow regulator or wall outlet having an adapter with male threads (notshown). Other threaded and non-threaded connections are also known inthe art and can be used. Moreover, the invention should not be limitedto a connection with wall outlets. It can be used wherever nippleadapters and similar such devices connect tubing to sources of gas withflow regulators, as is often seen on oxygen tanks. Similarly, theinvention's connection to the source of the gas, such as by threaded nutadapter 22, is not restricted to threads as shown in FIG. 1. Flangesjoined by screws, or snap-on, clip-on, push-on or other types ofconnections, may also be used. It goes without saying that the inventionis not limited to use with oxygen, although that is the typical gas thatis provided to the patient.

FIG. 2 depicts how the invention is set up while oxygen is flowing tothe patient. Prior to using the invention, tube 40 is slid over nipple30 with barbs 32. The friction created by the preferably conical frustumshape of nipple 30, together with barbs 32, secures the tube 40 inplace. In a typical use of the invention, such as in a hospital room ornursing home, tube 40 can connect directly to a mask or nasal cannula(not shown) used by a patient. Tubing may also be connected toequipment. To engage the alerting function, threaded nut adapter 22 isthreaded, snapped, or pushed on, or otherwise attached to a source ofoxygen and a flow regulator. Then, pressure is applied to swing arm 59,which rotates around hinge 67 while fixed arm 20 with nipple 30 remainsstationary. Continued application of force to swing arm 59 pushes thetop of spring 70 down so spring end 75 moves toward fixed arm 20. Springend 75 slides over latch 25 of fixed arm 20, so that the two areengaged. Once spring end 75 engages latch 25, spring 70 continues tourge swing arm 59 toward nipple 30, as seen in FIG. 2. tube 40 must bestiff enough so that the force exerted by spring 70 does not squeeze orcrimp the tubing, which would limit or block the flow of gas to thepatient.

FIG. 3 depicts the invention when tube 40 has been accidentallydisconnected from nipple 30, so that no oxygen is flowing to thepatient. Spring end 75 remains engaged with latch 25, so that withoutthe presence of tube 40, as shown in FIG. 2, swing arm 59 pivots so thatsurface 64 of base 60 engages end 37 of nipple 30. Interior flow path 35of nipple 30 aligns with aperture 52 and flow path 65 of base 60. As aresult, oxygen flowing through flow path 35 of nipple 30 passes throughwhistle 50, which is embedded in base 60. The whistle sounds as oxygenexits through aperture 54, alerting the personnel attending the patient.

The invention does not necessarily require that a separate whistlestructure be embedded in base 60. An alternative to the embodimentdepicted in FIGS. 1-3 is a unitary piece of thermoplastic in which aninterior whistle chamber is created inside and as part of base 60. Thisresult can be accomplished because embodiments like the one in FIGS. 1-3can be manufactured by, for example, a 3D printer or a lost foam mold.Nevertheless, the invention should not be limited to such a unitarystructure, and can be made of other materials, such as stainless steel,and can be manufactured using other methods. Likewise, as discussedbelow in relation to FIGS. 6-7, the alert mechanism need not be limitedto a whistle.

FIG. 4 depicts another embodiment of the invention 110. A threadedadapter 120 is part of nipple 130 with barbs or ridges 132. Oxygentravels through flow path 135 the direction of arrow. Nipple 130 has athreaded adapter 120 with threads 122. One end of tube 140 connects tothe end of nipple 130, so that oxygen can flow through tube 140 and to amask or cannula on the patient's face (not shown). Whistle 150 is partof threaded adapter 120 and barbed nipple 130. When tube 140 isdisconnected from nipple 130, the invention 110 functions somewhat likea whistle used by police or by referees of athletic contests. Oxygenflowing in the direction of arrow A divides at tip 151, causing awhistling sound. Some oxygen follows along flow path 135 and out the end137 of nipple 130, while some oxygen passes through aperture 152 intochamber 157. The swirling oxygen B in chamber 157 moves ball 155 insidechamber 157, creating the distinctive whistle sound associated with apoliceman's or referee's whistle.

In contrast, when tube 140 is connected to barbed nipple 130, noalerting sound is created. The oxygen moving along flow path 135 throughbarbed nipple 130 into tube 140 creates enough back pressure in chamber157 of whistle 150 that chamber 157 tends to remain filled with oxygen.Thus, no flow can divide at edge 151 to create the whistle alert. Anysound that whistle 150 might create becomes muffled and attenuated as itmoves through tube 140 toward the patient, so that it is imperceptibleand does not create any false alarms.

FIG. 5 depicts yet another embodiment 210 of the present invention. InFIG. 5 the nipple 230 includes an aperture 254 that connects with theflow path 235. When a tube (not shown) is removed from the end of nipple230, oxygen flowing over edge 251 creates a whistle sound. If the tube(not shown) covers aperture 254 of whistle 250, as it would when apatient is receiving oxygen, then oxygen cannot flow over edge 251 tocreate a whistle.

FIGS. 6-7 represent an embodiment of the invention that includes anelectronic alert mechanism. As shown in FIG. 6, the exterior of thisembodiment is quite similar in appearance and mechanical operation tothe embodiment in FIGS. 1-3, with correspondingly similar numerals. Theinvention or connector 300 has a fixed arm 320 that includes nut adapter322 and nipple 330 with barbs 332. Arrow A represents the flow directionthat traverses flow path 335 exits through nipple end 337. Swing arm 359includes base 360 and spring 370. Hinge 367 connects fixed arm 320 andswing arm 359, while stop surfaces 369 a, 369 b limit the relativerotation of the fixed and swing arms 320, 359 about hinge 367. Similarto FIG. 2, spring end 375 can engage latch 325, so that if tubing (notshown in FIGS. 6-7) were mounted on nipple 330, spring 370 wouldcontinue to urge swing arm 359 toward nipple 330. If tubing weredisconnected from nipple 330 while spring end 375 and latch 325 wereengaged, then nipple end 337 would align with aperture 352, so that gaswould flow from fixed arm 320 into swing arm 359.

As shown in the FIG. 7 cross-section, the interior of swing arm 359 isdifferent from the interior of swing arm 59 in FIGS. 1-3. In FIG. 7 thealert mechanism includes a switch 380, a battery 385 located on circuitboard 387, microprocessor 390, and a noise generator such as buzzer 395.When tubing (not shown) is mounted on nipple 330 and spring end 375 andlatch 325 are latched together, similar to the depiction of FIG. 2. Oncelatched, a slight force pulling swing arm 359 away from fixed arm 320causes switch 380 to contact battery 385 and circuit board 387. A smallcurrent flows through circuit board 387 to microprocessor 390, which mayinclude a resistor as a heating element, and a temperature sensor. Aslong as the tubing is connected, and there is a heat source, thethermistor senses no temperature cooling as would occur if gas tubingdisconnects and gas were to flow through the swing arm and over circuitboard 387 microprocessor 390. Thus, the alert mechanism perceivesconnector 300 as working properly, i.e., no alert is actuated when thetubing is connected to a patient or an apparatus. If swing arm 359 andfixed arm 320 close because tubing comes off the end of nipple 330, gasflows through nipple end 337, aperture 352, flow path 350, over thesensor in microprocessor 390, and out aperture 354. The flowing gascools the sensor in microprocessor 390, which in turn causes buzzer 395to sound or some other form of alert to actuate. Subject toenvironmental and workplace regulations, and patient considerations, itis contemplated that the buzzer will generate a sound of 70-75 dB at 10centimeters.

For cost and reliability, a simple configuration like the precedingdescription of the alert mechanism is preferred. Simpler configurations,however, also fall within the spirit of the invention. For example, asimple mechanical switch with electrical contacts (not shown) couldreplace the temperature sensing mechanism described in the precedingparagraph. If tubing were to come off nipple 330, so swing arm 359 wouldrotate toward fixed arm 320, one arm would physically contact the otherarm in such a way as to activate a battery powered circuit that wouldsend a signal to the alert mechanism. Those of skill in the artunderstand that such a switch could be configured in any of numerousways at different locations on connector 300.

Furthermore, the electrically actuated alert presents the possibility ofadding useful features. One useful feature would be a timing circuitthat provides a delay—perhaps 10 or 15 seconds—before actuating thealert mechanism. This would prevent an unnecessary loud noise if someoneimmediately perceived the disconnected tubing and took action. Asanother feature, the noise generator or buzzer 395 in connector 300could be located remotely from connector 300, either elsewhere in thepatient's room or even at a monitoring station remote from the room. Theremotely located noise generator could be wirelessly linked to connector300. In such cases the alerting mechanism need not even be a noisegenerator. For example, it could be a flashing light, a messageappearing on a monitoring screen, or some combination of visual andsound alerts generated in one or more locations simultaneously.

Variations of the described embodiments fall within the spirit and scopeof the invention, which is to be limited only by the following claimsand their equivalents. For example, those of skill in the art understandthat the present invention must seal tightly to a flow meter, regulatoror wall outlet, or wherever the connection to the oxygen source islocated. Precision threads, clamps, seals, and other materials may beused to insure oxygen does not leak. Those of skill in the art alsorecognize the interchangeability of many mechanical parts. For example,a “nut adapter” can just as easily be changed to be a bolt adapter, malethreaded adapter, push-on, wedge-on, or snap-on adapter. Thus, virtuallyany leak-proof connection between the oxygen source and the inventionwould also come within the scope of the invention, even if it did notpossess the interlocking threads of a nut and bolt. Spring 70 and hinge67 can also be substituted for by a variety of equivalent springs andhinges known to those of skill in the art. As previously noted, theinvention is not limited to use with oxygen. Also, while it is preferredthat a nipple have barbs, if barbs are used they not necessarily sharpin the same sense as barbed wire has sharp barbs. Those of skill in theart understand that barbs on a nipple adapter are typically a series ofadjacent or spaced ridges.

Other, more significant changes can be made while still falling withinthe scope of the invention. For example, the embodiment depicted in FIG.4 need not incorporate chamber 157 or ball 155. Instead, a piezoelectricsensor could be placed inside flow path 135 of nipple 130, so thatwithout chamber 157 nipple 130 would retain a generally conical frustumshape. The sensor can be pre-programmed to determine the change inoxygen pressure and velocity in flow path 135. If a tube were to becomedisconnected from the end of barbed nipple 130, the sensor would signalan alert mechanism such as a whistle, horn, or light source (e.g., LED)to alert personnel that the oxygen tube has been disconnected. With apiezoelectric sensor the alerting mechanism need not be part of barbednipple 130, although it can be. The designer may elect to make thealerting mechanism electrical, mechanical, or electromechanical.Likewise, whistle 50 as depicted in FIGS. 1-3 could be replaced by avariety of alerting mechanisms, such as a piezoelectric sensorassociated with a horn or light connected to but not part of base 60.Moreover, such connection could be hardwired or wireless.

Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embraceall such modifications, variations, and alternatives as fall within thescope of the following claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A connector for signaling that a tube with gasflowing through it has become disconnected from the connector,comprising: a fixed arm including a nipple connectable to the tube, anadapter for connecting the fixed arm to a source of gas, a latch, and aninterior path in the fixed arm through which the gas can flow; a swingarm including a base, a flow path through which the gas can flow, and aspring connected to the base and engageable with the latch for urgingthe swing arm toward the fixed arm, wherein the flow path of the swingarm is aligned with the flow path of the fixed arm when the tube withflowing gas becomes disconnected from the nipple and when the spring isengaged with the latch; a hinge connecting the fixed arm and the swingarm; and an alert disposed in the flow path of the swing arm.
 2. Aconnector for signaling that a tube with gas flowing through it hasbecome disconnected from the connector, comprising: a fixed armincluding a nipple connectable to the tube, an adapter for connectingthe fixed arm to a source of gas, a latch, and an interior path in thefixed arm through which the gas can flow; a swing arm including a base,a flow path through which the gas can flow, and a leaf spring connectedto the base and engageable with the latch for urging the swing armtoward the fixed arm, wherein the flow path of the swing arm is alignedwith the flow path of the fixed arm when the tube with flowing gasbecomes disconnected from the nipple and when the leaf spring is engagedwith the latch; a hinge connecting the fixed arm and the swing arm; andan alert disposed in the flow path of the swing arm.
 3. The invention ofclaim 2, wherein at least a portion of the leaf spring comprises agenerally sinusoidal shape.
 4. The invention of claim 2, furthercomprising a stop to limit rotation of the swing arm when the spring isnot engaged with the fixed arm.
 5. The invention of claim 4, wherein thehinge is a generally flat, thin, and disposed generally perpendicular tothe swing arm and the fixed arm.
 6. The invention of claim 5, wherein athreaded connection joins the fixed arm with a source of gas.
 7. Theinvention of claim 4, wherein the connector is a unitary piece ofthermoplastic.
 8. The invention of claim 2, wherein the alert is awhistle.
 9. The invention of claim 2, wherein the alert includes anelectrical power source, a means for sensing gas flow, and a signalgenerator responsive to the means for sensing gas flow.
 10. Theinvention of claim 9, further comprising a sound source responsive tothe signal generator.
 11. The invention of claim 10, wherein the soundsource is disposed in or on the connector.
 12. The invention of claim 9,further comprising a light source responsive to the signal generator.13. A connector for signaling that tubing with gas flowing through ithas become disconnected from the connector, comprising: a fixed armincluding a nipple connectable to the tubing, an adapter for connectingthe fixed arm to a source of gas, a latch, and an interior flow path inthe fixed arm through which the gas can flow; a swing arm movablyconnected to the fixed arm, the swing arm including a base, and a springconnected to the base and engageable with the latch for urging the swingarm toward the fixed arm, wherein the swing arm rotates toward the fixedarm when tubing becomes disconnected; a power source; an electronicsignal generator responsive to the swing arm moving toward the fixed armwhen the tubing becomes disconnected; and, an alert indicating that thetubing has become disconnected.
 14. The invention of claim 13, whereinthe alert comprises a sound source responsive to the signal generator.15. The invention of claim 14, wherein the sound source is disposed inor on the connector.
 16. The invention of claim 13, wherein the alertcomprises a light source responsive to the signal generator.
 17. Theinvention of claim 16, wherein the light source is disposed remotelyfrom the light source.
 18. The invention of claim 13, wherein the swingarm further includes a flow path through which gas can flow and meansfor sensing gas flow, wherein the electronic signal generator isresponsive to the means for sensing gas flow, and wherein the swing armflow path is generally aligned with the fixed arm flow path when thetube with flowing gas becomes disconnected from the nipple and when thespring is engaged with the latch.
 19. The invention of claim 18, whereinthe sensing means includes a resistor and a temperature sensor disposedin the flow path of the swing arm.
 20. The invention of claim 18,wherein the sensing means includes a thermistor and a temperature sensordisposed in the flow path of the swing arm.